Last updated: December 23rd, 2019
Children and adults with ADHD are constantly in search of stimulation. Whether you like to bounce your knee up and down, take ADHD medication, or use natural stimulants for ADHD – you’re probably just trying your best to cope with an increasingly common neurodevelopmental disorder. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (otherwise known as ADHD).
I’ve chased stimulation in many different ways over the course of my life. So, I have lots of personal experience with the very best natural stimulants out there.
The following 7 natural stimulants are safe, effective, and in many cases perfectly healthy for people with ADHD to use in moderation.
Contents
1. Yerba mate
Yerba mate (Amazon) is still my go-to, #1 healthy source of stimulation. I drink a lot of yerba mate because it’s healthy, delicious, and mentally “awakening”.
I do a lot of meditation. And, I have to admit that drinking a can or cup of yerba mate feels like liquid meditation. Yerba mate is truly mentally relaxing, while also extremely uplifting at the same time.
This special beverage comes from the South American rainforest, and contains a blend of caffeine, l-theanine, amino acids and other natural ingredients.
I bet you’re going to love it.
Pro tip: If you like brewing tea the traditional way, you might choose to grab loose leaf yerba mate (Amazon), and brew it yourself.
2. Colombian coffee
Colombian coffee (Amazon) is really special to me. I’ve drank thousands of cups of coffee over the course of my lifetime. And, there’s nothing like a freshly roasted Colombian blend to get you ready for work, adventure or play.
I’m not really a coffee snob. But, I do enjoy a quality brew. I’ve started to drink the Don Francisco’s brand of 100% Colombia Supremo coffee, and it’s pretty good stuff.
I think you’ll enjoy it.
3. Genius Caffeine
Genius Caffeine (Amazon) is one of those products for people with ADHD who need an instant flood of stimulation.
Whether you need to study, work out, or just get ready for the day – I’ve always appreciated the convenience of having all-natural caffeine in capsule form. Plus there’s a big benefit to using natural caffeine over synthetic caffeine. Natural caffeine has a smooth, stabilizing effect that makes you less likely to crash or burn out.
One capsule of Genius Caffeine ultimately contains 100mg of natural caffeine, which is about the same amount of caffeine in one cup of coffee. So, this product is natural, useful and absolutely stimulating (it’s pure stimulation).
4. Vitamin Code Raw B-Complex
Vitamin Code Raw B-Complex (Amazon) is an amazing, whole food multivitamin supplement that floods your brain with a range of B vitamins.
It’s no surprise that people with ADHD need to take a high-quality B vitamin supplement. The ADHD brain is a little bit wacky, and B vitamins help bring calm and focus to the ADHD mind.
But, most people don’t realize that you need to take a food-based B vitamin to truly nourish your brain. I’m not a big fan of chemical-based multivitamins. So, that’s why I recommend using the Vitamin Code Raw B-Complex, which contains energizing ingredients like vitamin B6, vitamin B12, Niacin, and a complete organic fruit & vegetable blend.
5. Organic Beet Juice Powder
Organic Beet Juice Powder (Amazon) is a healthy and energizing powder that you can mix with juice, and feel awesome results almost instantly.
High-quality beet juice powder makes it easier for your body to create nitric oxide. And, nitric oxide serves as a vasodilator which relaxes your arteries, improves blood circulation, and helps to reduce oxidative stress.
Plenty of high-performance athletes drink beet juice as a pre-workout beverage because of the competitive advantage that beetroot juice offers. But, I recommend that people with ADHD use beet juice powder before going to work, exercising or studying. It’s stimulating and great for your overall health. I’d probably even consider beet juice powder to be one of the best ADHD medication alternatives because of how great it works.
Side note: This brand of beet juice powder is the only one I could find that’s produced here in the USA. Most beets are grown in China. But, this product is made with beets that are actually grown organically in high-nitrate soil right here in the USA. It’s a really great value.
6. Amazing Grass Lemon Lime Energy
Amazing Grass Lemon Lime Energy (Amazon) is a superfood powder supplement that gives you energy, focus and better health. It’s a blend of yerba mate and matcha green tea. Plus, it also has lemon lime flavor added to it as well.
This stuff is delicious after going for a run or hitting the gym. It contains a load of vitamins, enzymes, probiotics and plenty of other goodies.
Oh, and most importantly, it contains 85mg of plant-based caffeine. So, this drink is just as stimulating as it is good-tasting.
Just mix a tablespoon of the powder with water or juice, and you’ll be good to go.
7. Rainbow Light Brain & Focus
Rainbow Light Brain & Focus (Amazon) is a brain-boosting multivitamin supplement that’s made from real food-based ingredients.
If you’re looking for more than just B vitamins (which this multivitamin contains plenty of) – then this supplement is the one for you.
In addition to B vitamins, you’ll find ingredients like vitamin D, zinc, choline, inositol, American Ginseng, and a number of other extremely beneficial compounds in Rainbow Light Brain & Focus.
Conclusion
People with ADHD will always seek out stimulation. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with that.
But, it can definitely help to get your stimulation from healthy and natural sources.
With the 7 best natural stimulants for ADHD in this article – your brain will feel satisfied, and your body will absorb the nutrients that it needs to flourish.
And that’s the exact type of stimulation you can feel good about.
Since ADD-ADHD was not a by-word in 1951 I was labeled “an active child” who was a daydreamer and not very motivated. In my later life, after age 55 I learned of ADD-ADHD and with the help of many sources, including Dr. Daniel Amen’s “Healing ADD Brain Type Test” I have self diagnosed me as a Type 2-Inattive person. I am actively pursuing ways to improve myself.
I feel that you are kindred spirits. Bob Smith Thank you for the list of suggested stimulants.
Thank you very much for your kind words Robert.
That’s awesome to hear that you eventually learned the truth about your ADHD. It’s much better late than never. Learning about ADHD can improve your life in so many ways.
Thanks again, and I wish you the best of luck with improving your life Robert.
Thank you so much for all this information! My son is 11 and has adhd which ones would you recommend (if any) for him? Thank you again I’m always looking for ways to help him on this journey. We do pray a lot and since he started homeschool he feels he doesn’t need his meds but i did buy him some
Pills called focus factor .
You’re awesome Rebecca. Kids are tricky, so I personally don’t like to make supplement recommendations for kids.
But you’re welcome to experiment and of course keep it very safe. Do your research, ask a doctor if you have any questions, etc.
I wish your family the best with homeschooling!
How do I know it’s safe to order these products online? How do I know they are safe for a preteen?
Hi Kerri. These products are sold on Amazon, which is perhaps the safest retailer on the internet.
If you need to discuss the safety of these products, please consult your doctor for the best results!
Read ingredient label on each
, then research any strange ingredients. Stay away from
Brazilian beans.
I never took meds until I developed a sensitivity to caffeine. Believe me, it wasn’t pretty.
Thanks Chelsey.
Can I purchase any of these products in the UK?
Most of the Amazon sellers only ship to the US.
Hi Jake. Have you tried clicking the links? You should be redirected to the UK Amazon store when you click the links. Let me know how it works for you please.
Do these work for executive function
You don’t mention Phenylalanine, this has been a life saver for me , amazing stuff. Also Spirulina and wheatgrass powder. I mix the 3 together in a smoothie on getting up. Along with coffee after 30 minutes. Helps me focus and power through my day in a natural way . Tess Cambridge England UK
Excellent comment Tess thank you for adding some valuable recommendations to this article. I would love to give phenylalanine a try. I’m also a big fan of spirulina and wheatgrass. Great stuff.